Words: Annie Vernon
The 2026 Head of the Charles Regatta took place in Boston, Massachusetts, from 16–18 October, bringing Oxford and Cambridge crews to one of the biggest events in international university rowing. The 4,702-metre course on the Charles River tests crews’ speed, steering and tactical judgement, with tight bends and seven bridges adding to the challenge.
Cambridge men set the early pace
Cambridge’s men made an impressive start to the new Boat Race season, finishing third in the Men’s Championship Eights in 13:36.084, behind world champions Holland Acht, and Harvard University. The result mean Cambridge didn’t get the hat trick of victories in the Championship Eights, after their wins in 2024 and 2025, but was an eye-catching result nonetheness in a world-class field. 2026 Blues Sammy Houdaigui, Simon Hatcher (P) and Patrick Wild were on board.
Oxford University placed 14th in 13:53.228, in a crew stroked by incoming French rower Victor El Kholti, sitting opposite 18-year-old cox Felix Laikin. 2026 Blues Alex Underwood and Alexander Sullivan (P) were sat behind them. Two-time Italian Olympian Gennaro di Mauro is an eye-catching addition to the Dark Blues this year.
Cambridge women edge Oxford
In the Women’s Championship Eights, Cambridge finished sixth. Isobel Campbell and Mia Freischem were the returning Blues on board, and the crew was stroked by former University of London club captain Jessie Martin. The event was won by the USRowing Training Centre crew featuring the full World Championship bronze-medal-winning eight, in 14:44.037. This crew had solid Boat Race pedigree, with Claire Collins (Cambridge, 2025) and Camille VanDerMeer (Cambridge, 2026) sitting at 5 and 6.
Oxford finished 10th, with Cambridge just six seconds ahead of their Dark Blue rivals. Emily Molins, Kyra Delray (P) and cox Louis Corrigan made up a returning triplet of Blues from the 2026 victorious Oxford crew. Paraguayan national Nicole Martinez, rowing at 7, has joined the Dark Blue squad this year.
With the 2027 Boat Race season now underway, attention turns to how both squads can develop ahead of their next date: their respective club Trial VIIIs in December on The Championship Course.
- Oxford: Tuesday 8 December
- Cambridge: Saturday 12 December